With Covid shut downs our usual (at least once a year) ice-dyeing marathon has stretched out to going on 3 years. Happily at last.....the Fiber Frenzy group gathered at Judy's for a day of micro-wave ice-dyeing
I've shared the steps many times on this blog before, so enjoy this short overview and hear the squeals & laughter......
A shady area of the deck is our ice station where it's added to cover the scrunched up soda ash soaked PFD fabric.MX dyes are sprinkled over the ice, covered by the bowl's lid and microwaved for about 4-5 mins. (or until the ice is all melted.)After a ton of rinsing my first piece is ready to dry on an outside line....the bubbly doesn't get opened until we each have at least one piece done!I'm in heaven......and then....drama.......The microwave died........nope we aren't calling the service man......it's probably 20 years old but a trip to Walmart will be coming soon.
8 comments:
Well, at least there was bubbly! And that should require another fun dye day to celebrate a new microwave, shouldn't it?
LOL, it is always something isn't it!! Luckily microwave ovens are pretty inexpensive these days.
The last gasps of the microwave was very near the end of the day so if it had to go.....that was good timing!
Well that's one way to keep cool! Yikes... the microwave. At that age, it doesn't owe you any money at least. And you waited so long to get back to this.
I've been itching to get back to dying! I purchased a 10yd bolt of PFD a couple of weeks ago, replenished some of my dye auxiliaries and now your post! It is time! :) It's funny how microwaves do *gasp* when they're going out!
Kitty Ann.....you are apparently a 'no reply blogger', meaning I can't communicate with you. Wondering if you would share where you purchase your PFD fabric??
Hello Mary! Not sure what would make me 'no reply', a Blogger security setting perhaps? Will have to investigate.
The last purchase was made amazingly at the local JoAnns store. I had a 25% off coupon, which was also good for on-sale items, and I just happened upon a full bolt of Kona PFD 45" while looking through the Kona solids offerings. Cost after sale/coupon was $55.
-- Prior purchases have been made through my go-to online fabric store: Stash Fabrics. Their same 10 yd Kona PFD bolts are going currently for $57.50, if you order 2 bolts you'll get free shipping.
--Many moons ago, when I was very heavy into dying, and selling my hand-dyes, I purchased from TEST Fabrics. They offer the best wholesale pricing and many types/widths of cottons and other fibers. They do not show pricing on their website, you have to send a quote request via their 'quote form'. At this link is the type I have used, # 400M:
http://www.testfabrics.com/product-detail.php?id=TWpNPQ==&pid=23
Dyer/printer Pat Pauly uses a slightly heavier weight PFD cotton, # 419 from Test Fabrics: https://www.testfabrics.com/product-detail.php?id=TXpJPQ==
--There are so many choices for creatives these days! Happy dying! Kitty Ann
Thank you Kitty Ann.....yes you probably need to change your blogger status in security or your general set up on your blog.
Good info re. PFD sources.....thank you. I had no idea JoAnns even carried it. I have to do almost everything via mail order here.....been using Test Fabrics and getting their 2nds which are really cheap. Rarely can I even detect what makes them 2nds. As I mentioned it's been ages since I've done any dyeing.....thanks to Covid. One reason I've been spending so much time mono-printing. Unfortunately, I don't even really have a decent set up for that.....my studio is a loft overlooking our great room, carpeted, darker than I'd like because of the slope tongue/groove wood ceiling....and worse problem.....no laundry tub. Outside hose is the best I can do is an outside hose which is not convenient. Sooooo grateful for good fiber pals who are so generous with their fabulous studios. Anxious to see what you do....please share when you can.
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